Roller skate



Oct. 3, 1939. F. R. MAGUIRE 2,174,990

ROLLER SKATE Filed Nov. 3, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l j# .1.

F. R. MAGUIRE ROLLER SKATE Oct. 3, 1939.

Filed Nov. 3Q 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 3, 1939 unirse stareseATENT OFFICE ROLLER. SKATE Forrest R. Maguire, Maywood, Calif.,assignor of one-half to Ray H. Crisler, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 3, 1937, Serial No. 172,564

l2 Claims. Cl. 280--11.11)

This invention relates to skates and relates means or driving means andFig. 8 is an enmore particularly to roller skates having a drivlargedfragmentary vertical detailed sectional ing means or a propelling means.A general View illustrating the means for guiding and reobject of thisinvention is to provide novel, practurning the tread of the skateillustrated in l, tical and effective roller skates of the characterFig. 6. referred to. In the drawings I have illustrated two typicalAnother object of this invention is to provide forms or embodiments 0fthe Skate prOVded by roller skates having traction wheels and means thisinvention. It is to be understood that both l whereby the wearer mayemploy or apply his forms of skates may be provided in pairs, one 1weight to rotate the traction wheels and thus skate of each pair beingadapted for application 10 drive himself forwardly to the right foot andone to the left foot. In the Another object of this invention is toprovide following detailed disclosure I will describe one roller skatesemploying drive means or propelskate of each type 0r embodiment of theinvenling means for certain of the rollers or wheels tion. whereby thewearer may propel himself for- The form of skate of the inventionillustrated i: wardly by merely alternately imposing his weight in Figs.1-5, inclusive, of the drawings includes, on the left and right skatesby what may be generally, a lower section or chassis I0, a pair termed atreading action. of forward rollers or wheels I I on the chassis I0,

Another object of this invention is to provide a pair of traction ordriving rollers or wheels roller skates of the charater mentioned inwhich I2 on the chassis I0, an upper section or tread 2O the propellingmeans or wheel driving means is I3 carried by the chassis I0 forvertical moveautomatic, that is, it does not require a motor ment withrespect thereto and means A whereby or other prime mover. relativemovement between the chassis I0 and Another object of this invention isto provide the tread I3 drives or rotates the wheels I2. roller Skatesof the character mentioned in which The lower section 0r chassis I0 0fthe Skate 25 the traction wheels or driving wheels as well as iSDrOVided With the tWO Pairs 0f Wheels and the other wheels are free torotate forwardly at l2 27nd Carries the VariOuS Other DartS 0f the alltimes whereby the skates may be used in the Skate Structure. The ChaSSiSl0 iS an elOngote usual manner when desired. Structure including a bodypart I4. The body A further object of this invention is to provide DartI4 0f the ChaSSS I0 iS an elcrlgate member 30 roller skates of thecharacter mentioned that having upturned marginal fianges I5 which lendembody simple propelling mechanisms or drivit rgidity- Au invertedU-Shaped bearing bracking mechanisms that are entirely contained in etI6 is secured to the under side of the body or carried by the skate bodyparts. part I4 adjacent its forward end to carry the 'Ihe variousobjects and features of my invenwheels II as will be subsequentlydescribed. A 35 tion will be fully understood from the following similarbearing bracket I1 is Secured to the detailed description of typicalpreferred forms under side of the body part I4 21d-jacent its rear andapplications of my invention, throughout end to carry or mount thetraction wheels I2 `as which description reference is made to the acwillbe hereinafter described. 'I'he spaced arms 4o companying drawings, inwhich: of the U-shaped bracket I'I have aligned hori- 40 Fig. l is aside elevation of one form of skate 'forltal Openings I8. Fenders oraprons I9 of provided by this invention with portions brokenChannel-Shaped CrOSS Section may eXteIld along away to illustrate partsof the driving means. the OPDOSite longitudinal SideS 0f the bOdY DartFig. 2 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional U5- The aDrOIlS I9 maybe Welded 0r otherwise view taken as indicated by line 2 2 on Fig. 1.fixed to the anses I5 and are arranged with 45 Fig. 3 is an enlargedfragmentary vertical detheir open sides or their channel sides facingtailed sectional View of the ratchet means. Fig. dOWIiWerdly t0 receivethe upper DOrtioIlS 0f the 4 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectionalView WheelS il and |2 If desired the aDrOnS I9 may taken as indicated byline 4 4 on Fig. 1. Fig. continue around the forward and rear ends of 5is a detail sectional view showing part of the the body Dart 4 50ratchet mechanism. Fig. 6 is a side elevation The wheels II are theforward wheels of the of another form of skate of the present invenskateand are free or undriven. In accordance tion. Fig. 7 is an enlargedfragmentary vertical with the broader aspects of the invention thedetailed sectional View of the rear portion of the rollers or wheels IImay be of any type or conskate shown in Fig. 6 illustrating thepropelling struction. In the particular form of the in- 55 ventionillustrated the wheels II include metal hubs 2D and rubber or rubbercomposition treads or tires 2l An axle 22 is arranged through horizontalopenings in the bearing bracket I6 and the wheels Il are rotatable onthe opposite end portions of the axle. in practice the wheels ii may besupported on the axle 22 by suitable antifriction bearings.

The rear rollers or wheels I2 of the skate are the driving wheels ortraction wheels. The wheels I2 may be similar in construction to theforward wheels II comprising metal hubs 23 and rubber tires 24. A shaftor axie 25 extends through the horizontal openings I8 in the bracket I'Iand projects outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the bracket to carrythe wheels I2. The hubs 23 preferably have openings 26 of substantiallength and the axle 25 is threaded in these openings 26. Lock nuts 2'Iare threaded on the end parts of the axle 25 and clamp against the hubs23 to lock the wheels I2 on the axle. Anti-friction bearings 28 arepreferably provided in the openings I8 to rotatably support or mount theaxle 25 on the bearing bracket I1.

rIhe upper section or tread i3 is arranged above the skate chassis Il!and in accordance with the invention is movable vertically with respectto the chassis. The tread I3 is an elongate structure similar in sizeand shape to the chassis lil. In the construction illustrated in thedrawings the tread I3 includes a main part or principal part 29 havingdepending marginal flanges Sil. The part 29 has a flat upper surfaceagainst which the sole and heel of the wearers shoe may be engaged. Anapron si depends from the flange E@ and telescopes downwardly over theapron i9 of the chassis It. The apron 3i is fixed to the flange 3i) asby welding, or the like. The end portions of the telescoping aprons i9and 3| may have a close sliding fit or engagement to assist in guidingthe tread i3 for vertical movement relative to the chassis IQ. Theremaining parts of the aprons i9 and 3| may have substantial clearanceto permitfree movement of the tread. Suitable toe clamps 32 are providedon the forward end portion of the tread I3. The clamps 32 may be ofconventional construction and may be suitably secured to the apron 3! oron the part 2Q or both. A raised heel 33 is provided on the tread i3 toreceive the heel portion of the wearers shoe. The heel 33 is integralwith the apron 3| and projects upwardly from the rear portion of thepart 29. In the preferred construction the heel 33 is hollow orchambered to house certain parts of the means A as will be subsequentlydescribed. A slot 3d is provided in the heel 33 to receive the usualankle strap (not shown).

The tread I3 is connected with the chassis Iii for limited verticalmovement with respect thereto. The means connecting the tread i3; withthe chassis I!) may comprise spaced sets or pairs of links 35. Theadjacent ends of the links 35 have meshing parts as best illustrated inFig. 4 and pins 36 extending through openings rin these parts topivotally connect the links. Lugs 3l are provided on the under side ofthe part 29 or on its flanges 3l) and support pins L58 which passthrough openings in thickened upper parts in the links 35 to pivotallyconnect the links with. the tread I3. Similar lugs 39 are provided onthe body part M of the chassis It! and carry pins le which extendthrough openings in thickened lower portions in the links 35 topivotally connect the links with the chassis. It is preferred le to thebody part i4.

to arrange a pair of links 35 substantially directly above the axle 22of the forward rollers or wheels il and to provide a second pair oflinks 35 above and adjacent the plane of the axle 25 of the rear wheelsi2. A link 4I is provided to connect the two spaced pairs of links 35for simultaneous and corresponding movement to maintain the tread I3 inparallel relation to the chassis Eil. The above described pins 35 passthrough openings in the end portions of the link il to pivotallyassociate the link il with the pairs of pivotally connected links 35.

It is preferred to provide additional means to guide the movable treadI3 relative to the chassis ld. A pair of spaced posts i2 is fixed to thebody part i@ of the chassis it? and the posts project upwardly into thehollow heel 33. The posts it are slidably received in tubular bosses #i3on the part 29 and the engagement of the posts with the bosses assistsin guiding and stabilizing the tread I3. Heads lilare provided on theupper ends of the posts it and are engageable by the bosses 43 to limitthe upward movement of the tread it. Collars #it are provided on theposts d2 and are engageable by the under side of the tread part 29 tolimit the downward movement of the tread with respect to the chassisIii.

The means A is operable by downward movement of the tread I 3 relativeto the chassis if! to drive or rotate the rear wheels I2 to propel theskate forwardly. rihe means A includes a rotatable shaft dfi. The shaftl5 is arranged substantially vertically with its longitudinal axis inthe same plane as the axle 25. The shaft it is rotatably supported onthe chassis iii and passes upwardly through .on opening il? in the part2Q. Aligned openings 48 are provided in the body part ifi and thebearing bracket it and the shaft d'5 has a reduced portion 1&5 extendingthrough the openings 48. A bearing washer or thrust washer i9 isarranged on the reduced shaft portion d6 above the body part if! and isengaged by a downwardly facing shoulder on the shaft. An anti-frictionthrust bearing 5i is arranged between the washer 49 and the body part IAto assist in rotatably supporting the shaft and to transmit downwardthrusts from the shaft The upward thrusts are transmitted from the shaft4in to the chassis Sii by a structure to be hereinafter described.

The means A further includes mechanism for causing rotation of the shaftit when the tread I3 is moved downwardly relative to the chassis I ii. Acap 52 is fixed to the upper side of the part 29 and the shaft 46 passesupwardly through an opening in the upper wall of the cap. The cap 52slidably cooperating with the shaft 5.5 and the opening fl'l receivingthe shaft #it assist in stabilizing and supporting the shaft and inguiding the tread I3 for vertical movement. A spiralled or helicalgroove 53 is provided in the rotatable shaft 36. A nut 5E is rotatableon the shaft i6 and is arranged within the cap 52. The nut Eil has a lugor thread 55 cooperating with the groove 53. The upper end of the nut 54cooperates with the upper wall of the cap and the lower end of the nutrests on the part 29 so that the nut moves vertically with the tread i3.

The nut 5d is held against rotation during downward movement of thetread I3 relative to the chassis lli so that its thread 55 cooperateswith the groove 53 to rotate the shaft et. A T-shaped opening 5l isprovided in the wall of the cap 52 and a correspondingly shaped ratchetI Il member 58 is arranged in the opening. The ratchet member 58 has adepending iinger or pawl 59. Peripheral teeth 66 are provided on the nut54 to cooperate with the pawl 59. A ring 6I surrounds the cap 52 and aspring 62 is arranged between the ring 6I and the ratchet member 58 tourge the member inwardly so that its pawl 59 cooperates with the teeth66. The pawl 59 is offset, relative to a radial line from the shaft 46normal to the inner face of the pawl, so that one edge of the pawl isadapted to flatly cooperate with the sides of the teeth 60 and thecorners of the teeth 60 are adapted to successively co operate with theinner side of the pawl 59 to force the same outwardly against the actionof the spring 62. With the construction just described the pawl 59 isadapted toy cooperate with a tooth 6U to hold the nut 54 againstturning, which would otherwise result from the cooperation of the thread55 with the groove 53, when the tread. I3 moves downwardly relative tothe chassis I El, and the thread 55 of the non-rotatable nut cooperatingwith the groove 53 rotates the shaft 46. Continued rotation of the shaft46 in the same direction subsequent to the downward movement of thetread i3 results in rotation of the nut 54 in the said direction and theteeth 60 of the rotating nut cooperate with the inner side of the pawl Sto force the same outwardly and thus ratchet past the pawl. Duringupward movement of the tread I3 the cooperation of the thread 55 withthe groove 53 results in rotation of the nut 54 in the same direction asthe shaft 46, assuming that the shaft is rotating and in this case thenut may turn at a higher speed than the shaft.

The means A further includes a drive between the shaft 46 and the axle25 of the traction wheels I2. A bevel gear 64 is pinned or otherwisefixed to the reduced portion 46' of the shaft 46. The gear 64 preferablyhas a hub of substantial length extending through the openings 48. Anantifriction bearing 65 is arrangedbetween the upper side of the gear 64and the bearing bracket I'I to assist in rotatably supporting the shaft46 and to transmit upward thrusts from the shaft and gear to thechassis. A bevel pinion 66 is pinned or otherwise xed to the axle andmeshes with the gear 64. The ratio between the gear 64 and the pinion 66may be such that the axle 25 and the wheels I2 are rotated a number oftimes during each down-stroke of the tread I3. In order to balance theforces on the gear 64 a bevel pinion 61 is freely arranged on the axle25 to mesh with the gear 64 at a point diametrically opposite the pinion66, The end or hub portions of the pinions 66 and 61 may be received inthe anti-friction bearings 23. The invention may include means tocounter-balance or partially counter-balance the weight of the tread I3and to return or aid gravity in returning the tread to its upperposition relative to the chassis I 0. A coiled spring 68 may surroundthe shaft 46 and may be arranged under compression between the treadpart 29 and the washer 49 to exert a yielding upward pressure on thetread.

It is believed that the operation of the form of skate of the presentinvention illustrated in Figs. 1-5 of the drawings will be readilyunderstood from the foregoing detailed description. A pair of skates ofthe character just described may be worn in the same manner as theconventional roller skates. The user may propel himself by merelytreading or alternately applying his weight to the left and right skatesto drive the traction wheels I2 through the means A described in detailabove. During the downward movement of the tread I3 of a skate relativeto its chassis I0 the cooperation of the nut 54 with the shaft 46 causesrotation of the shaft and this rotation is transmitted to the axle 25through the gear and pinion 64 and 66 so that the wheels I2 are drivenor rotated. During the upward movement of the tread I3 when the userremoves his weight from the skate or raises his foot the wheels l2 maycontinue to rotate in a forward direction and the nut 54 merely rides upon the shaft 46 and turns in the same direction as the shaft but at ahigher rate, It will be understood that the skates may be operated inthe same manner as the conventional roller skates but are adapted to aidin propelling the user when his weight is alternately applied to theleft and right skates as described above.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6, '7 and 8 of thedrawings includes, generally, a chassis 16a having pairs of wheels orrollers IIa and I2a, a tread Ita supported on the chassis ma forvertical movement with respect thereto and means B operable by downwardmovement of the tread l3a to rotate the wheels In this form of theinvention the chassis Illa may comprise a single elongate body part I 4asimilar generally to the above described part I4. Bearing brackets I6aand l'Ia depend 'om the forward and rearward portions, respectively, ofthe chassis part I4. The forward rollers or wheels IIa are rotatable onan axle 22a carried by the bracket i611. The traction rollers or wheelsI2@ are xed to an axle 25a rotatably supported on the bracket Ila bysuitable bearings. The wheels Ita and I2a may be of the same characteras the above described wheels II and I2.

The tread I3a is spaced above the chassis Ina and is vertically movablewith respect to the chassis. The tread I3a includes an elongate bodypart 29a shaped to receive the shoe of the wearer. Suitable toe clamps3.5.'a are provided on the forward portion of the tread part 29a and aheel 33a projects upwardly from the rear portion of the part 29a. Themeans for supporting the tread I3a on the chassis la comprises 'spacedpairs or sets of pivotally connected links 35a. The adjacent ends of thelinks 35SL are connected by pivot pins 36a. The upper ends of the upperlinks 35a are pivotally connected with the tread I32- by pins 38"1carried in lugs 3l?a on the part 29a.

ins 4R11a pivotally connect the lower ends of the links 35a withsuitable lugs 38a on the chassis part I4a. Spaced links 4Ia extendbetween and connect the sets of links 35a for synchronous operation.rlhe opposite ends of the links Ma may be connected with the links 35tby the pivot pins 36'.

Means is provided to guide the tread I3a for vertical movement relativeto the chassis Ie. This means includes a cylinder 10 secured to anddepending from the chassis part I4a. A plug 1I is arranged in the lowerend of the cylinder 'l0 and. has a port 125 for the free passage of airto and from the cylinder. A guide plunger 'I2 is secured to the part 29aof the tread I3a and extends downwardly from the said part. The plungerI2 slidably passes through an opening I3 in the part I4a and is slidablyreceived in the cylinder 10. The cooperation of the plunger I2 with theopening I3 and the cylinder I0 effectively guides the tread I3a forvertic-al movement. The plunger 12 is provided with a flange 'I4 that isadapted to engage the plug 1I to limit the downward movement of thetread I3EL with respect to the chassis ma. A shoulder 15 is provided onthe interior of the cylinder 18 and is engageable by the flange 14 tolimit the upward movement of the tread I3au relative to the chassis |82.The plunger 12 is tubular and a spring 16 is arranged in the plunger andthe cylinder 18 to be held under compression between the plug 1| and thepart 29a. The spring 1B may serve to return or may assist gravity inreturning the tread I3 and the chassis Il) to their normal relativepositions.

The means B is operable by downward movement of the tread I32L relativeto the chassis ille to rotate the rollers or wheels i2a and thus propelthe skate. rhe means B includes a housing 11 secured to or forming apart of the bracket |121. The housing 11 has a tubular portion 'Ilasecured to the part Ma and registering with a vertical opening 18 insaid part. A nut 19 is rotatable within the opening 18 and the housingpart 11a. A shaft 80 is fixed to the part 28a of the tread I3a andextends downwardly into the nut 19. The shaft 88 is shiftably androtatably received in the nut 19. A helical groove 8| is provided in theshaft 88 and a lug or thread 82 is provided on the interior of the nut18 to cooperate with the groove. The nut 19 is free to rotate but isheld against vertical movement so thatI the thread 82 cooperating withthe groove 8| causes rotation of the nut when the shaft 88 is movedvertically.

A drive is provided between the nut 1Q and the axle 25e of the tractionwheels We. This drive includes a helical gear 83 xed to or forming apart of the nut 19. The housing 11 shaped to accommodate or receive thegear 83. The under side of the gear 83 bears on a wall portion of thehousing "il to prevent downward movement of the gear and the nut 18. Theupper side of the gear 83 cooperates with a washer Btl engaged against awall portion of the housing 11 to prevent upward movement of the and thenut 19. A helical pinion 85 is freely rotatable on the axle 25a andmeshes with the gear 83. The housing 11 is shaped so accommodate thepinion 85. A ratchet connection or ratchet drive is provided between thepinion 85 and the shaft 25a. Internal ratchet teeth 86 are provided onthe pinion 85. The teeth 88 have abrupt ends facing in the direction offorward rotation of the axle 25a, assuming that the skate is movingforwardly. The rear sides of the ratchet teeth 85 are pitched orgradually inclined. A ratchet pawl or dog 81 is shiftable in atransverse opening 88 in the axle 25a to cooperate with the ratchetteeth 86. When the pinion 85 is driven by the gear 83 during downwardmovement of the tread |3a the flat forward face of a tooth 88 cooperateswith the dog 81 to transmit rotation from the pinion 85 to the axle 25a,thus rotating the tractien wheels |2 and propelling the skate. When theskate is coasting or when the traction wheels |2a are rotated throughtheir engagement with the ground or floor the axle 25a rotates relativeto the pinion 85 so that the projecting end of the dog 81 comes intoengagement with the inclined rear sides of the teeth 85 and the dog 81is alternately shifted back and forth by this eni gagement to ratchetpast the teeth. The same operation takes place when the tread lea movesupwardly relative to the chassis ma.

The form of skate of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6, '7 and 8 ofthe drawings has substantially the same mode of operation as thepreviously described form of the invention. A person wearing the skatesmay propel himself by merely treading or alternately applying his weighton the right and left skates so that the above described means B of theskates drive their respective traction Wheels |22. The skates, ofcourse, may be used in the same manner as the conventional rollerskates.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

A skate comprising a chassis, pairs of rollers supporting the chassisfor movement, a tread, means supporting the tread on the chassis forvertical movement with respect thereto, means operable by downwardmovement of the tread relative to the chassis for rotating at least onepair of rollers to propel the skate including a nut movable verticallywith the tread, and a screw shaft having a driving connection with thesaid driven rollers to drive the same, and a spring surrounding theshaft and cooperating with the chassis and tread to urge the treadupwardly.

2. A skate comprising, two sections related for relative verticalmovement, one a chassis section, the other a tread section, pairs ofrollers carried by the chassis section and supporting the same formovement, and means operable by relative vertical movement between thesections for rotating a pair of rollers to propel the skate, said meansincluding two relatively rotatable parts one carried by one of saidsections, the other carried by the other of said sec-tions, one partbeing a shaft having a helical groove, the other part being a nut havinga thread cooperating with said groove, a drive between the rotatablepart and a pair of rollers whereby said pair of rollers is rotated bydownward movement of the tread section, and ratchet means associatedwith one of said parts whereby upward movement of the section does notcause rotation of said pair of rollers.

3. A skate comprising, two sections related for relative verticalmovement, one a chassis section, the other a tread section, pairs ofrolers carried by the chassis section and supporting the same formovement, and a screw and nut means operable by downward movement of thetread sections relative to the chassis section to rotate a pair oi`rollers to propel the skate, said means including a part carried by eachsection, one of said parts being rotatable, the other beingnonrotatable, a helical groove in one part, a thread on the other partcooperating with the groove to produce rotation of the said rotatablepart, a drive between said rotatable part and a pair of rollers, andratchet means associated with one of said parts whereby upward movementof the tread section .does not cause rotation of said pair of rollers.

Ll. A skate comprising a chassis, pairs of rollers supporting thechassis for movement, a tread, means supporting the tread on the chassisfor vertical movement with respect thereto, and a screw and nut meansoperable by downward movement of the tread relative to the chassis forrotating a pair of rollers to propel the skate, said means including aratchet mechanism whereby upward movement of the tread does not drivesaid pair of rollers.

5. A skate comprising a lower section, rollers on the lower section, anupper section, means supporting the upper section `on the lower sectionfor vertical movement with respect thereto, means guiding the uppersection for such vertical movement, means limiting relative verticalmovement between the sections, an upwardly projecting hollow heel on theupper section, and means operated by the upper section during downwardmovement of the same to rotate certain of the rollers to propel theskate, the last mentioned means including a nut in the heel movablevertically with the upper section, and a screw shaft having a drivingconnection with said certain rollers and cooperating with the nut to berotated thereby.

6. A skate comprising a lower section, rollers on the lower section, anupper section, means supporting the upper section on the lower sectionfor vertical movement with respect thereto, means guiding the uppersection for such vertical movement, and screw and nut means operated bythe upper section during downward movement of the same to rotate certainof the rollers to propel the skate, the last mentioned means including aratchet mechanism for effecting its ydisengagement during upwardmovement of the upper section.

7. A skate comprising a lower section, rollers on the lower section, anupper section, means supporting the upper section on the lower sectionfor vertical movement with respect thereto, and means operated bydownward movement of the upper section for rotating certain of therollers including a rotatable shaft carried by the lower section, a nutcarried by the upper section and cooperating with the shaft to rotatethe same during downward movement of the upper section, a drive betweenthe shaft and said certain rollers, and a ratchet means whereby saidcertain rollers are rotated by the shaft during downward movement of theupper section and are free during the upward movement of the uppersection.

8. A skate comprising a lower section, rollers on the lower section, anupper section, means supporting the upper section on the lower sectionfor vertical movement with respect thereto, and means operated bydownward movement of the upper section for rotating certain of therollers including a rotatable shaft carried by the lower section andhaving a helical groove, a nut rotatably carried by the upper sectionand cooperable with the groove, ratchet means holding the nut againstrotation during downward movement of the upper section whereby the nutcauses rotation of the shaft and permitting rotation of the nut duringupward movement of the upper section and when the upper section is inits lowermost position, and a drive between the shaft and said certainrollers.

9. A skate comprising a lower section, rollers on the lower section, anupper section, means supporting the upper section on the lower sectionfor vertical movement with respect thereto,

. and means operable by downward movement of the upper section forrotating certain of the rollers including, a shaft movable with theupper section, a nut rotatably carried by the lower section andcooperating with the shaft to be rotated thereby during its verticalmovement, and a drive between the nut and said certain rollers.

10. A skate comprising a lower section, rollers on the lower section, anupper section, means supporting the upper section on the lower sectionfor vertical movement with respect thereto, and means operable bydownward movement of the upper section for rotating certain of therollers including, a shaft movable with the upper section, a nutrotatably carried by the lower section and cooperating with the shaft tobe rotated thereby during its vertical movement, and a ratchet drivebetween the nut and said certain rollers.

l1. A skate comprising a lower section, rollers on the lower section, anupper section, means supporting the upper section on the lower sectionfor vertical movement with respect thereto, and means operable bydownward movement of the upper section for rotating certain of therollers including, a shaft movable with the upper section, a nutrotatably carried by the lower section and cooperating with the sha-ftto be rotated thereby during its vertical movement, and a gear drivebetween the nut and said certain rollers, the drive including a ratchetmeans.

12. A skate comprising a lower section, rollers on the lower section, anupper section spaced above the lower section and in substantiallyparallel relation thereto, means supporting the upper section on thelower section for vertical movement with respect thereto, means guidingthe upper section for such vertical movement, and means operated by theupper section during downward movement of the same to rotate certain ofthe rollers to propel the skate, the last named means comprising a nutcarried at the upper side of the upper section to move verticallytherewith, a substantially vertical screw shaft (rotatably carried bythe lower section and extending upwardly-through the nut to be rotatedthereby, a drive between the shaft and said certain rollers, and aratchet mechanism associated with the nut and shaft whereby the saidcertain rollers are rotated by the shaft during downward movement of theupper section and are free during upward movement of the upper section,

FORREST R. MAGUIRE.

